Roofing In Winter: Good Idea Or Wait Until Spring?

While roofing can technically occur in the winter months, it’s not ideal. Generally, the only situation where roofing would be done before springtime is if it is new construction and needs to get done to finish the building. These situations may be more common in commercial constructions, over residential.

There are some pros and cons to roofing in the winter, which is why we recommend waiting until spring, if possible.

Cons to Roofing in the Winter

The obvious cons of working on a roof in the winter are the cold weather, dangerous roof conditions, and unpredictable weather. There are a few other reasons why it’s not the optimal time.

Less Profitable for Business

There are a few reasons aside from lack of work that make roofing in the winter much less profitable for a business. First, ice and snow removal has to be done first to properly repair or replace a roof. Depending on the amount of snow and the size of the roof, it can add 30 minutes to a few hours to complete before work can even begin. This also includes keeping snow and ice from sticking while the roof is worked on. Unpredictable weather can put a damper on production if the removal has to happen consistently for roofers to work safely. This added time can take away time that should be spent working on the roof itself. It also requires extra safety precautions and additional checks to ensure the materials are installing properly during colder days.

Some Materials are Temperature Sensitive

Certain shingle materials and roofing materials do not adhere to each other or withstand when the temperature is so cold. 40 degrees Fahrenheit and higher is generally more optimal for material installation, so early and very late winter may be the best times if it must be done.

Dangerous for Crews

To reiterate, the conditions of a roof in the winter, are going to be far more treacherous than in the summer months. There will be more debris, slippery surfaces, and if you add the bitter cold in there, it can be quite dangerous for crews. The risk of falling is high, as well as susceptible to effects from the cold weather and air. It could be difficult to breathe, and exposing skin to the elements can be painful.

Winter-Safe Roofing Projects

wonder if this should be more geared towards the homeowner, instead of businesses. I don’t think FA does roofing in the winter so maybe instead we could talk about things they can do in the winter such as insulation and air sealing and I believe they do siding year-round.

When the weather makes roof repair and replacement difficult to do, there are still some other projects that homeowners can get done in the winter months that can help improve their home performance.

Air Sealing

One way to improve your home’s insulation and ability to hold heat, or cold in the summer, is air sealing any and all potential air leaks.

Some common areas that require air sealing include the spots in your attic where a hole has been made to allow electrical wiring to come up through the attic floor. These wires run to your outlets, light fixtures, hardwired appliances, etc.

You may have heard that heat rises, which means any leaks in your home can mean the heat you’re using to warm your home, can escape right up to the attic and out of the roof. In fact, without air sealing the holes in your attic, your heat can escape right through your appliances and plug-in outlets, and out of your house. Spray foam, and overlaying insulation, can seal around these gaps and holes to guarantee your attic will be fully insulated.

Your attic entrance, window sills, basement cracks, and chimney or flue are also susceptible to air leaks. Air sealing around your home helps improve your heating and cooling efficiency, as well as overall home performance. Increase your comfort this winter, and decrease heating costs by having these areas air sealed.

Adding Insulation

If you notice your home feeling drafty in some spots, or some rooms just can’t hold heat, it may be time to add insulation. Winter can be a great time to get that done, and when summertime comes, you can be sure your A/C will be cooling more efficiently as well.

After you air seal those leaky spots in your home is the perfect time to re-insulate or add insulation since you’ll likely be moving it already to seal leaks. In fact, you should always ensure your attic is properly air sealed before ever re-insulating, otherwise, it can’t do its job!

Many roofing companies will gladly re-insulate your attic during these months, and that can help to prep for any roof repairs or replacement you are planning for Spring. Insulating the attic will also help with ice dams during the winter, by maintaining that heat and allowing snow and ice melt to occur.

Homeowners Can Save Money and Spread out Their Budget

Because many companies may not do business in the cold months, competition is lower, and prices can go down. Homeowners have their pick of the litter mostly when it comes to when, how, and with who they work with to get these projects done during this time.

So if the question is, should I roof in the winter or wait until Spring? Go ahead and plan to have your roof done after the thaw, but in the meantime, work on all the other indoor projects in your home, whether related to the roof or not! Air sealing, insulation, and home performance tests can all be done during these winter months. They can all help you prep for that next big project, and you can build a relationship with your contractor in the meantime.

To get started on a FREE estimate, give us a call at 608-291-3363. We can help you start planning your spring roofing project, or schedule snow and ice dam removal services which we offer all winter long.